Don't Get Engaged (Until you read this book)

Don't Get Engaged (until you read this book) will help you and your partner decide if you are truly right for each other to spend your lives together. It is a workbook with an emphasis on ''work.'' If you follow the instructions carefully, you will be taken through a process that will reveal all the information you need to make an enlightened decision about your relationship, and you'll have fun doing it.The best way for you and your partner to accomplish this work is for you to each have a copy of the book. If that is not possible, just copy the questionnaires for your partner. Filling out the questionnaires separately helps to ensure honest and candid answers. If done together, your partner's answers may be what he/she guesses you would say and not what he/she really thinks: ''wanting too much to be liked.'' If you are together, it is too easy to be swayed or influenced by a verbal opinion from your partner or trying to think what the answer ''should'' be: ''second guessing.'' In a romantic atmosphere together, you or your partner might say, ''Oh yeah, I think that too,'' even though the exact opposite is true: ''manipulation.'' It's important you avoid these issues and answer the questions honestly and alone.During the process of completing the steps in the book, it is important to talk about what is real at the present time. You may also talk about what you would like to become, but don't deviate from who you really are, and what your life is like now!There are four steps in the book. Each step contains an introduction, instructions including preparation, planning, one or more activities and other assignments, questionnaires and ''concepts to consider.'' The process for each step is simple. First: Read the introduction and everything in the step. Fill out the questionnaires separately from your partner. Second: Follow the plan including preparation, planning and doing the activities and assignments. Third: Review your answers to the questionnaires together as instructed. Summarize where you agree and where you don't and analyze where compromises can or cannot happen. Fourth: At the end of each step, review what you have done, alone, and decide if you are ready to take the next step.And perhaps the most important part, make this fun. It's worth it.